Frequently Asked Questions following the outcome of the EU referendum from prospective EU students applying, or holding offers, for undergraduate degree courses at Sussex for entry in September 2018

The UK government triggered Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty on 29 March 2017, formally signalling its intent to leave the EU. The negotiation process is taking place with the UK expected to leave the EU in 2019.

The government has announced that EU students applying for a place at an English university in 2018/19 will be eligible for student loans and grants – and will continue to be for the duration of their course.

Although the UK has voted to leave the European Union (EU), there are no immediate changes for students who want to come and study with us at the University of Sussex. Sussex and the city of Brighton is the same friendly, multicultural place it has always been.

We are pleased to confirm that all EU students (undergraduate, Masters and PhD) who are already studying at Sussex, who have an offer to study at Sussex, or who apply in the 2018 cycle to start their studies in September 2018, will continue to be charged the UK (Home) fee rate for the duration of their course. Please note the UK (Home) fee rate may be subject to annual increases for inflation.

The University of Sussex is an active partner in working together with Universities UK, the British Council and the UK Government to ensure that international students from all around the world continue to have the opportunity to experience some of the best education in the world.

Sussex undergraduates from the EU who gain a first or upper second-class degree will continue to qualify for a scholarship to study for a Masters at Sussex. Find out more about the Sussex Graduate Scholarships.

Students from the EU, and from around the world, are a valued and important part of our campus community. One in four of our students and one in three of our academic staff are non-UK. We are doing all that we can to ensure that they can continue to work and study with us and we will be keeping people updated on any developments.

Update from the UK Prime Minister on the rights of EU citizens living in the UK

Frequently Asked Questions

The UK government has confirmed that EU students applying to courses starting in 2018/19 will not see any changes to their loan eligibility or fee status.

The longer-term implications for EU students who want to apply to study at Sussex after the UK has left the EU will depend on the outcome of the negotiations and what kind of future relationship is agreed between the UK and the EU.

We expect that fees will increase in subsequent academic years as the Government reviews the fee levels.

All eligible EU students starting in September 2018 will pay the Home (UK & EU) tuition fee for the duration of their degree course. This advice is based on the announcement on 11 October 2016 from the Department for Education that student loans to EU students starting in September 2018 will be available for the duration of their degree course.

Yes. If you are starting in September 2018 you can apply for and, if eligible, will receive student loans. The criteria for eligibility for loans have not changed since the referendum. The Student Loans Company has confirmed that, once loans are approved, they will continue to be available for the duration of your degree.

If you are holding an offer for September 2018 entry you should consider the position carefully before deferring your entry to September 2019. This is due to the uncertainty about future fee rates under UK law, and the position on access to loans available from the Student Loans Company for new EU students starting their studies in September 2019.

Yes, you are still eligible for the same Sussex Scholarships as you were before the EU referendum.

In 2015, we extended our Sussex Excellence Scholarships to include EU and other international qualifications and continue our commitment to support gifted and talented students from across the world to study at Sussex. In addition we have a range of postgraduate scholarships to support your further study after graduation.

As an EU student, you are a valued and important part of our campus community. One in four of our students and one in three of our academic staff are from countries outside of the UK.

The University of Sussex campus and the city of Brighton & Hove are very safe places. With the overwhelming majority of residents (69%) voting in favour of remaining in the EU in the recent referendum, the city and its universities remain diverse communities that welcome all nationalities.

Yes, you will continue paying tuition fees at the Home (UK & EU) rate, which was £9,250 for 2017/18. There is no immediate change to your immigration status and associated fees as a result of the EU referendum. This will remain the case for the duration of your course.

You will continue to receive student loans and grants from the Student Loans Company (SLC) until you complete your degree course. This has been confirmed by the Department for Education, and applies to EU nationals or their family members, who are currently in higher education, and who have been assessed as eligible to receive loans and/or grants from the SLC.

It covers all student finance from the SLC for students in England for which EU nationals are eligible, including:

tuition fee loans (for those resident in the European Economic Area (EEA) for three years)

maintenance loans and grants (limited to those resident in the UK for at least three years)

Yes, students studying at UK universities in September 2018 will be able to participate in Erasmus+. The UK government is being urged to secure continued UK participation in this valuable exchange programme post-Brexit.